What Is a Standard Pillow Size?

Every night, you sleep on the same type of pillow. You know exactly how it should feel and exactly how to position it to get a good night’s rest.

But then you go out of town and find yourself sleeping on a different type of pillow. Maybe it’s filled with a different material – feathers instead of foam or vice versa – or maybe it’s smaller or bigger than the standard pillow size you’re used to.

Whatever the case, you soon realize that different people need different types of pillows. Pillows and pillowcases come in a range of different sizes. In this blog post, we’ll help you decide which one is the right size for you.

Standard

Standard pillows are perhaps the most common type of pillow, measuring 20 inches by 26 inches. They’re the pillows you’ll usually find on a twin or double bed.

When picking pillowcases for these pillows, don’t worry if you can’t find any labeled simply “standard.” Most are designed to fit both standard and queen-sized pillows without having to worry about sacrificing comfort.

Queen

Slightly longer than standard pillows, queen pillows usually measure 20 inches by 30 inches. Two of them will fit perfectly side by side on a queen-sized bed. But like we said earlier, everyone has their own preference when it comes to pillows. Many sleepers might sleep on a double bed but enjoy the extra length that comes from the queen’s standard pillow size. Not everyone that has queen size beds will use queen size pillows. It’s not uncommon for some properties to use standard size pillows on their queen size beds.

King

As you’d expect, king-sized pillows are designed to fit king-sized beds, with the standard pillow size for kings measuring 20 inches by 36 inches. Some sleepers might find a pillow this large too heavy and unwieldy for normal sleep, which is why you might want to consider using king pillows for decorative purposes paired with queen-sized pillows for sleeping. Some innkeepers even use 3 to 6 standard size pillows, depending on whether the bed is made with 3 or 6 sleeping pillows.

Pillowcase tips

How you deploy your pillowcases can play a role in how well your guests sleep. For example:

• Larger pillowcases allow guests to fluff and conform the pillow to their desired shape, especially if they’re sleeping on pillows with gussets. (A gusseted pillow is one that has rectangular panels along its sides for added thickness.)
• Use smaller pillowcases when you want a pillow to retain its height and volume, or in cases where you want to extend the life of an older pillow.
• Tuck the ends of the pillowcase tightly to add extra volume and height.
• Stuffing a big pillow into a smaller pillowcase will distort the pillow shape and make sleeping more difficult.

Different pillows for different sleepers

The position in which people sleep is also an important consideration when choosing pillow sizes:

• Side sleepers – This category accounts for most of the population. People who sleep on their sides will do well with a firm or extra-firm pillow with an extra wide gusset to cover the distance between the ear and shoulder.
• Back sleepers – People who sleep on their backs tend to do well with thinner pillows, which can cradle the head without lifting it too much.
• Stomach sleepers – Sleeping on your stomach can strain your lower back. People who tend to sleep in this position should opt for a thin, soft pillow…or no pillow at all.

There may be such a thing as the standard pillow size, but there’s no such thing as the standard pillow. The right pillow size, shape and fill can make a world of difference to guests seeking a good night’s sleep. Let InnStyle help you find pillows that are right for your establishment.

No matter the pillow size, shape or material, we’re confident we have the pillows and pillow protectors you need to make sure your guests wake up feeling refreshed.